The Wind Cries Mary
Song DNA
A beautifully crafted song that showcases Hendrix's softer side.
Cultural Context
Represents the emotional depth of the 1960s music scene.
Listening Prompt
Reflect on the beauty of the moment.
What to Expect
A steady build of emotion without drastic shifts.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: calm, contemplative
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 7/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.
Sudden changes: none. Transitions are musically signaled — nothing will surprise you if you're only half-listening.
Texture: smooth.
Predictability is high — the song telegraphs what it will do next. A sensory-sensitive listener can usually guess where it's going without close attention.
Vocal style: soft vocals.
Where this sits in Jimi Hendrix's catalog
We have 42 songs from Jimi Hendrix in the library. Of those, 1 are rated Safe, 17 Moderate, and 24 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 7/10 sits below the artist average of 7.8, making it the #30 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Axis: Bold as Love
We have 8 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.
- Little Wing — safe DR 7
- Bold as Love — moderate DR 7
- Castles Made of Sand — moderate DR 5
- Spanish Castle Magic — intense DR 8
- If 6 Was 9 — intense DR 8
- Axis Bold as Love — moderate DR 7
- Burning of the Midnight Lamp — moderate DR 7
1967 context
Released in 1967. We have 289 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.2/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 1960s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-05. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "The Wind Cries Mary"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix?
"The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 7/10, none sudden changes, smooth texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "The Wind Cries Mary" — what is its dynamic range?
"The Wind Cries Mary" has a dynamic range of 7/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.
Does "The Wind Cries Mary" have sudden or surprising changes?
No. "The Wind Cries Mary" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.
What is "The Wind Cries Mary" best for?
In our library "The Wind Cries Mary" is recommended for: focus, meditation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "The Wind Cries Mary" released?
"The Wind Cries Mary" is from 1967, on the album "Axis: Bold as Love". It appears in our 1960s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "The Wind Cries Mary"?
We tag "The Wind Cries Mary" as calm, contemplative. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "The Wind Cries Mary"?
The vocal style is soft vocals.
Should I listen to "The Wind Cries Mary"?
"The Wind Cries Mary" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.
Songs with the same DNA
smooth texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
Safer alternatives with a similar feel
These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.
What this song means to people
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